Lipid residue analysis by derivitisation and comprehensive Gas Chromatography - Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry as applied to South African Iron Age pottery

摘要

GCxGC-TOFMS is ideally suited for the trace analysis of lipid residues so as to obtain indicators for the origin of lipids from southern African Iron Age pot sherds and to determine the original function of individual vessels. For conclusive archaeological information on the original contents of the earthenware vessels, a more extensive sampling campaign needs to be launched with proper site control samples (e.g. soil surrounding the discovered sherd) and meticulous care to prevent post-sampling lipid contamination.